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Nazarene Commentary 2000©

21^st Century Paraphrase of the Hebrew Scriptures© –
21^st Century Version of the Christian Scriptures© [NCMM]

THE FIRST LETTER TO THE THESSALONIANS

CHAPTER TWO:
“SERVANTS WITH TENDER AFFECTIONS”

[“Loving Elders”]
Key word: Gentleness
Theme Verse: 8

1 Thessalonians 2:1-4 – A Visit with Results

1TH2:1 For all of you are quite aware, brothers, that our visit to you was not without results. 15

15	Results: This early missionary tour with its visit to Thessalonica produced fruitage of faith. (Acts 17:1, 4) This was true despite the report that the Bereans were more “noble-minded” and checked the Scriptures daily to see if what Paul preached was true. (Acts 7:11)

1TH2:2 But instead, as you are aware, though we had suffered already and been treated insolently at Philippi, 16 we still were outspoken to proclaim the Good News of The God despite an enormous struggle. 17

16	Treated insolently at Philippi: Read Acts chapter 16. No doubt the Roman jailer who received Jesus and the traveling merchant Lydia may have helped build the congregation of the Philippians to whom Paul will later write.

17	Enormous struggle: Acts 17:5.

1TH2:3 For our encouragement is not out of error or impurity, nor deceit, 18

18

Not out of error or impurity, nor deceit: Their visit and message were truthful, clean, and guileless. They had no selfish agenda but to present the Good News of Christ. On “uncleanness” see 1 Thessalonians 4:7. It is a modern shame that some evangelists are characterized by all three: error, impurity, and deceit.

1TH2:4 but rather – just as we have been approved by The God to be entrusted with the Good News – we speak, not to please humans, but to please The God the One 19 who examines our hearts. 20 [Jeremiah 11:20]

19

Not to please humans, but tot please God the One: See Galatians 1:10 regarding “men-pleasers.” Paul’s message and preaching is not to just gain numbers by pleasing everyone who hears him. He speaks the truth even if it makes enemies. (Galatians 4:16; 2 Timothy 4:3) He is a straightforward man of considerable courage. He has only One to please. He is not one to “tickle the ears.” [2 Timothy 4:3]

20	Examine our hearts: Or, MON: trusting my motives. Some religious teachers have greedy motives or hidden agendas. (2 Timothy 3:6, 7) Possibly an allusion to Jeremiah 11:20. On inviting God to examine our deepest motives see Psalm 26.

1 Thessalonians 2:5-8 – Mother’s Gentle Affection

1TH2:5 For, as you are aware, we never used flattering speech, 21 nor a cover for greed, 22 as God is witness.

21	Flattering speech: This is something rare for religious ministers who often speak in flattering words to win the support of a group. (Proverbs 28:23; 29:5) Flattery is a form of “tickling the ears.” (2 Timothy 4:3)

22

Cover for greed: That is, “a front for extortion [from the flock].” Unlike many “ministers” throughout the ages, Paul desired no material gain from the congregations. Compare Acts 20:33. Note Peter’s later warning about certain religious types. (2 Peter 2:3) If a Christian evangelist or pastor is considerably more well-off than his flock, one could begin to suspect greed.

1TH2:6 Neither did we seek out human honor 23 and glory – not from you or others – though we could have made heavy demands as Christ’s apostles. 24

23	Seek out human honor: That is, “our motive was not to curry favor.” This is another characteristic of pseudo pastors who desire titles or lists of abbreviated letters after their name and laudatory scrolls on their walls. The Nazarene did not seek glory from men either. (John 5:41, 44)

24

Demands Christ’s apostles: That is, “we did not assert our apostolic authority.” We note Paul calls the three men of 1 Thessalonians 1:1 as “apostles of Christ.” Research the word apostle for details on this designation. Though authorized by Christ and the Jerusalem Church, these three missionaries did not take advantage of their position in the Church. “Demands” is from BAREI [Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance #922, weight, trouble, burden] and means literally something heavy. Or, KJV: burdensome; NEB: made our weight felt.

1TH2:7 Instead, we became gentle as babes among you, 25 like a nursing mother caring for her children.

25

Gentle as babes: That is, “we were as gentle as babies.” The Greek is NEPIOI which means “babies.” Or, TCN: we lived among you with child-like simplicity. They came as the Nazarene had instructed. (Matthew 18:3) They did not come seek praise and honor. Nor did they use the tyranny of authority in their missionary efforts. They came as ordinary men preaching a Good News of peace and love. In the case of this new and persecuted congregation these three men paid their own way and lived a simple life-style similar to their Master’s.

1TH2:8 So, having an affectionate desire for you, we were prepared not only to share with you the Good News of The God but also our own souls, 26 for you had become dearly beloved to us. 27

26

Our own souls: That is, “we were willing to sacrifice ourselves for your benefit.” The Greek is EAUTON PSUCHAS. See notes on 1 John 2:6 (1 John 2:6) in Nazarene Commentary ©2000. These are dedicated men, one of whom became the greatest missionary to ever walk the earth. (John 15:13; 2 Corinthians 12:15)

27	Dearly beloved to us: That is, “you know how much we really loved you.” Paul’s language is filled with kindly and loving expressions. He has used gentle, affection, and love. He uses “love” [compassionate affection, benevolent empathy] 10 times in his epistles to the Thessalonians.

1 Thessalonians 2:9-12 – A Father’s Exhortation

1TH2:9 For, brothers, surely you call to mind our hard work and toil. 28 We worked night and day so that we would never become a heavy burden to any one of you while we continued to proclaim the Good News of The God.

28

Hard work and toil: That is, “you remember how hard we worked with our own hands.” Both epistles to the Thessalonians stress how these men worked to support themselves so they would be no burden on this poor and persecuted congregation. Though “apostles” have authority to “refrain from secular work” according to 1 Corinthians chapter 9 on occasion they provided for themselves or gifts sent from others. (Philippians 4:15; Acts 18:3; 20:34) In the second letter to the Thessalonians Paul is to rebuke those refusing to work. (2 Thessalonians 3:6, 8, 10-12)

1TH2:10 You can testify to this – and so can The God – how our behavior 29 among you believers was holy, righteous, and blameless.

29

Our behavior: That is, “our conduct and life-style.” Paul and his associate pastors set the example for all to follow: 1] no false flattery; 2] no greedy agenda; 3] gentle; 4] not tyrannical; 5] no seeking self-glory; 6] self-supporting; 7] holy, righteous, and blameless in their character. Here is presented the role model for all genuine pastors and missionaries to come. Indeed, there are second century writings by the ante-Nicene fathers describing false prophets as those who expect the congregations to support them. [See the Teachings of the Apostles.]

1TH2:11 For you are aware how – like a father with his children 30 – we admonished everyone of you, encouraging you and testifying to you

30	Like a father with his children: Paul uses both mother and father as examples. While the mother nurses gently, the father exhorts, encourages, and charges. (Acts 20:31; 1 Corinthians 4:5) Compare also Ephesians 6:4; Hebrews 12:9.

1TH2:12 to continue walking in a worthy manner before The God 31 who invited you into His own Kingdom 32 and Glory.

31	Walk in a worthy manner before The God: This is Paul’s charge to them: their lives must be God-centered. (1 Corinthians 15:28) Compare Galatians 5:16; Ephesians 4:1; Colossians 1:10.

32

Who invited you into His own Kingdom: In the Christian Bible there are two kingdoms: the Son’s (Matthew 13:41; Colossians 1:13) and the Father’s (Matthew 13:43; 1 Corinthians 15:28) The word “calls” (calling) [KALOUNTOS, Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance #2564] may be better understood by the word “invite.” See Nazarene Commentary 2000© notes on the parable at Matthew 22:1-14.

1 Thessalonians 2:13-16 – Accepted the Word of God

1TH2:13 And we also constantly give thanks to The God because when you accepted God’s Word that you heard from us, you accepted it not as a human message but as what it actually is – God’s Word. 33 It continues to work within all of you believers. 34

33	God’s Word: Compare Acts 11:1, Galatians 1:11. The “word of God” was found in the Scriptures. (Acts 17:2, 3, 11) Remember the comparison between the Bereans and the Thessalonians.

34

Continues to work within all of you believers: That is, “continues to energize and be operative within you.” Note Paul has in mind God’s Word. The Greek is ENERGEITAI [Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance #1754, operative, put forth power] and means in-working or energetic. Compare Hebrews 4:12’s ENERGES. God’s Word works within the believer, as it is the Pneuma of God in printed form. (2 Timothy 3:16)

1TH2:14 For you, brothers, became imitators of the congregations of The God 35 that are in Judea [and who are] in union with Christ Jesus. Because you suffered the very same things from your own countrymen as they did from the Jews –

35	Imitators of the congregations of God: One congregation patterned itself after the example of the churches at large. Compare 1 Corinthians 11:16; 14:33.

1TH2:15 those who killed both the Master Jesus 36 as well as the prophets. They not only drove us out – as they displease God and oppose all humanity –

36	Who killed both the Master Jesus: Read the early chapters of the Book of Acts and note how the Jews are mainly blamed for the execution of Jesus the Nazarene.

1TH2:16 hindering us from speaking to the non-Jews so that they also may be saved – even as they are always filling up the measure of their sins. 37 [Genesis 15:16] However, at last, God’s wrath has come upon them. 38 [Psalm 78:31; Luke 21:23; John 3:36]

37	Filling up the measure of their sins: This may be an allusion to Matthew 23:32 or an echo of Genesis 15:16. This and other references may indicate the Good News of Matthew was already available to Paul and others.

38

God’s wrath has come upon them: Possibly borrowed from Psalm 78:31; Luke 21:23; John 3:36. Had Jerusalem been destroyed as it was in 70 CE this would have been a convenient time for the writer to mention it as proof of his own argument. The fact this is not mentioned is taken by some as proof this epistle was written before 66-70 CE. According to other writers this was the “last days” of the Jewish Temple Age. Research the words last days in a concordance or Nazarene Commentary 2000©. (Acts 2:17)

1 Thessalonians 2:17-20 – Satan Cut across Path

1TH2:17 But, brothers, when we became deprived of you 39 for a little while – in person, but not in heart – we tried even harder in our earnest wish to visit you 40 face to face.

39	Deprived of you: The Greek is APORPHANISTHENTES [Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance #642] or “orphaned.”

40	Earnest wish to visit you: Compare Acts 15:36. Paul tried to revisit congregations he had helped form. (Romans 1:11)

1TH2:18 Because we – I, Paul – once, and then twice, wished to come and visit you, but Satan put obstacles in our path. 41

41	Satan put obstacles in our path: Or, RHM: Satan thwarted us; TCN: Satan put difficulties in our way. This may be by persecution or some other inconvenience.

1TH2:19 For what is our hope or joy or crown of boasting – is it not all of you? – in the very presence of our Master Jesus 42 at his Arrival? 43 [Mark 13:35, 36; Luke 12:38]

42

Boasting in the very presence of our Master Jesus: The Church will be raised to stand before Christ at his Return for a judgment. (1 Corinthians 4:5; 2 Corinthians 5:10) Some will speak freely while others will be shamed. (See Nazarene Commentary 2000© notes on 1 John 2:28) Paul’s example is how the “talent” is used to increase the Master’s business. (Matthew 25:14-30)

43

At his Arrival: That is, “when he returns.” Or, coming; presence. The Greek is EN TE AUTOU PAROUSIA and is literally “in his presence.” As at the conclusion of the first chapter the Return of Christ is mentioned. The word PAROUSIA in relation to the return of Christ is used more in 1 Thessalonians than any other part of the Bible. The word PAROUSIA means an arrival to become present with someone. Note what the Nazarene promises his apostles. (John 14:1-3) Research the word presence or PAROUSIA in a Greek lexicon and Nazarene Commentary 2000©: (Vine’s Expository – Strong’s #3952) lit. “a presence,” para, “with,” and ousia, “being” (from eimi, “to be”), denotes both an “arrival” and a consequent “presence with.” For instance, in a papyrus letter a lady speaks of the necessity of her parousia in a place in order to attend to matters relating to her property there. Paul speaks of his parousia in Philippi, Philippians 2:12 (in contrast to his apousia, “his absence”). Thayer’s Lexicon: “1) presence; 2) the coming, arrival, advent; 2a) the future visible return from heaven of Jesus, to raise the dead, hold the last judgment, and set up formally and gloriously the kingdom of God.” Research parousia in Nazarene Commentary 2000©.

1TH2:20 You are surely our glory and joy!

Summary Questions Chapter Two